Losing Charley

Chapter 11 Part 1

I wake up to snoring in my ear and arms wrapped around my body. Joe. I can't help but smile. He didn't leave me last night. Hank's was awesome, and even with the events of yesterday, I am still enjoying life. I will not let Dylan Sloan ruin it.

I try to move out of Joe's arms, but he only holds me tighter. My phone begins to ring, and I know by the ringtone that it's Cash.

"Hey, Cash," I say with a yawn.

"Mornin', Char. How did it go last night?"

"We had a great time, just a normal Saturday night at Hank's. You have got to go with me one night."

Cash laughs on the other end. "Char, I'd absolutely love dancing the night away with you. So, how is Joe?"

"Um... he's okay, I think."

There is silence on the phone.

"Is he there with you?"

"Yeah, but Cash, he just wants to keep me safe."

"I understand that, Char, but I don't like it. My arms are the only ones that you belong in. I don't mean to be an ass, but I can't help but get a little jealous that someone else gets to hold you."

I look at Joe who is still asleep, and decide I might need to sneak out to talk to Cash.

"Hey hold on. I'm going to walk out into the hall."

"Um, no! You keep your ass in that room. Don't go anywhere without someone. I mean it, Char. I will never forgive myself if something happens to you."

"Okay, okay. Well, can I call you back later?"

"Yeah, I love you."

"I love you, too."

I hit End on the phone and get a Choice Cherry Gold out of the fridge. I open it and take a swig. When I'm about three gulps in, I get the begeezes scared out of me by the sound of Joe's voice.

"That was weird, huh?" he says with a smile, as he's lying shirtless on the bed with his head propped up on his arm.

After I collect myself and quit coughing, I nod my head yes because talking is still questionable at this point.

"I hope I didn't make that uncomfortable for you two?"

"No, I just didn't want to wake you."

He looks at me with a smirk, "You sure?"

"Yeah, but I do need to talk to him alone. What you got planned today?"

"Not much. This is totally a different subject, but I was thinking about the volunteering we have to do. Coach was talking about a community event next Saturday. I thought it would be cool to use it. In fact, if we went to the special purpose school on Wednesday and Friday, we could invite them and we'd be finished with the project."

"Yeah, I love that idea. I wish that we had this class next semester when Special Olympics takes place. I just loved volunteering for that back home."

"Charley, you really have the heart for those kids. Maybe that's what you should do with your life."

"I just don't want to be a teacher. I like the volunteering and working one-on-one. I can still do all that when I run the farm, ya know?"

"True."

Joe throws the comforter off him and grabs his shirt from last night. Oh, that boy has a body, and those abs are like an old washboard. I could so rub my hands up and down them.